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Our army Correspondence.


Winchester, Va., July 4, 1863.
Whatever Winchester may have been in different times, it certainly now presents a picture of sad coloring. Not a cart, wagon, or dray is to be seen. Save the army wagon, not a carriage enlivens the streets. The thoroughfares are miry with filth, and the general impression upon entering the town is that you have driven into a huge livery stable, not particularly well kept. Nearly every door is closed and few persons are seen, save soldiers, and a few refugees, just returned from a nine months banishment looking with anxious and careful scrutiny to discover amidst the general desolation a few traces of well remembered scenes and localities. I have seen some dozen ladies on the street in clean, nice dresses-- the only clean thing I have observed in the place. These all seem to wear an expression of "play time has come" upon their countenances. The ladies little relish Yankee domination, and everywhere on the route, wherever the enemy has penetrated, the sense of relief from their presence shows upon the faces of the women so plain that without asking you would know that they are uncompromising rebels.

I was agreeably surprised to find the ravages of the enemy in the Valley not so extensive as I had been led to believe. It is true they violated all the usages of civilized warfare in their plundering raids, but I saw not one house burned in the entire route from Staunton to Winchester. Not one hall as much of the land is being as I expected to see; and, in fact, what is not in grain is in grass — a crop at this little especially valuable. There are many more cattle, horses, and hogs, than I looked to see, and a person from almost any other part of the world, traveling through the Valley for the first time, would think that he was in the richest portion of the earth.

Of the movements of the army but little is reliably known. So reticent is General Lee of his movements and intentions that he dates his dispatches from any point that may suit his fancy, without reference to the place he is actually at. I have learned, however, that he has changed the direction of his army, and that it is now thought to be at Gettysburg, with a Southern inclination, jeering towards Baltimore.

I have little doubt that he is coming back into Maryland. The possibilities and the results of the campaign are all to be found in Maryland, and no one knows this better than General Lee. It is believed here that Hooker, with his army, is at Frederick. No one is allowed to cross the lines without the protection of a large armed escort. This orders is said to have come from General Lee, and hence it is believed that the enemy in some force is between this point and our army, ready to pick up any but a respectable number of soldiers.

A gentleman direct from Harper's Ferry says that two days ago there were only four tents visible upon the Maryland Heights, where for some time past there have been hundreds seen. It is believed, from this and from other statements, that the Yankees have evacuated that position. The rumor here is — that they have blown up all their fortifications at that point.

There is said to be no truth in the rumor that our army on its march is constantly harassed by the enemy's guerrillas. No instances have occurred within the knowledge of anyone here. Two stragglers were supposed to have been shot. This is the foundation of the statement.

There seems to be a few Union people in this place yet. I learned to day that several Yankee officers, amongst whom are a Colonel and a Major, were on yesterday found secreted in the houses of some citizens, not having been able to effect their escape since the capture of the place.

I shall endeavor to write you in a few days from some point nearer the army.

J.
[*The letter of our correspondent has been anticipated by events, but is still interesting.--Ed.]

Martinsburg, July 4th, 1863.
I reached this place late in the afternoon of to day. The town is full of rumors and reports — some of them startling and apparently wall founded. Two prisoners were brought here this afternoon from Greencastle, Pa. They report that on Wednesday a battle commenced near. Gettysburg between Lee and Meade, which lasted two days, at the end of which time Meade fell back towards Baltimore and Lee was following him. One of our cavalry men, just returned from Maryland, brings the same information, derived from the sons across the Potomac, and the fact of the battle is believed here. The prisoners knew nothing of the details of the fight. They say the loss on both rides is reported to be heavy. The Federal lost in killed Gen. Reynolds and one other General. whose name they did not remember, and Gen. Skirs was reported to them as having lost a leg.

The Baltimore Sun, of the 1st, says that Stuart had a small engagement with a company of a laware cavalry on Monday last, at Westminster, in Carroll county, 20 miles from Baltimore, Stuart killed some 15, captured 50 odd, and dispersed the remainder. He then went to Picketown, very near to Baltimore, and his close proximity created the wildest alarm in the Yankee dynasty. The militia were called out, the streets barricaded, the sale of fire arms was prohibited except under license, the stores closed, and the citizens forbidden to leave their nomes after 8 o'clock. Persons of Southern feeling were warned that any demonstration of sympathy for their cause would be followed by the severest penalties. On the Sunday previous, Stuart was reported by the Sun to have been within six miles of Washington city, in Montgomery Co., where he captured 1,200 mules, come 100 prisoners, and some arms. The same paper states that he levied a tax of $350,000 upon the city of York, giving twenty days time in which to pay. Some $10,000 had been collected by the citizens.

The Sun, of the 2d given information that Pemberton attacked Grant at Vicksburg and defeated him, and that Grant endeavored to escape, when Johnston fell upon him and out his army to pieces. The Sun says that Banks has arrived at New Orleans from Port Hudson with only 5,000 men the remnant of his army. I have seen neither of the papers, but gather my information from those who have real them.

It is reported here to day that on yesterday ten of imboden's cavalry went into Mercersburg, Pa., and whilst quietly riding through the streets, they were tired upon by some of the citizens and seven of them killed. Imboden to day goes to demand satisfaction for the outrage. This is the second case in which I have heard of the people in Pennsylvania resorting to this mode of warfare.

This morning a small party of Yankee cavalry came to Falling Water, seven miles from Martinsburg, and out away a few of the boats forming the pontoon bridge at that place, and partially sunk several more. They attempted to fire the whole structure, but were prevented by a few of our soldiers who were sent after them. They captured three wagons and some sixteen mules, and than returned. It is positively stated here that Harper's Ferry is evacuated entirely the enemy.

J.

Martinsburg, July 5, 1863.
The great battle in the Northern field of operations commenced on Wednesday, the 1st. Late on that day Ewell and A. P. Hill attacked the enemy at Gettysburg, Ewed leading the right, Hill the centre, and Early the left. Our forces drove the enemy from the town that afternoon. On Thursday the battle was renewed, and the enemy was driven into his breast works, upon some heights which he had secured. The lighting on Wednesday was severe, but on Thursday not so furious. On Thursday the report is the enemy was heavily reinforced — some say by three army corns — On Friday the fight was renewed by our troops attempting to storm the enemy's works. We succeeded, but were compelled to retire.--Lee then, on Friday evening, changed his front, and moved behind the town of Gettysburg, and on Saturday morning was in line of battle, expecting a renewal of the engagement. All the information received here comes through Maj. Hawks, of Ewell's command, who left Gettysburg on Saturday morning. He says that General Longstreet did not come up till very late, and I understood him to mean late on Fridays. Our loss on the two first days was not very great. On Friday our loss was heavy, especially in Pickett's division. Gens Barksdale and Garnett were killed. Gen. Trimble lost a leg and Gen. Hood an arm. Colonel Kanan, of North Carolinas, is severely wounded in the thigh.

A train of wagons belonging to Longstreet, was, on yesterday, attacked by the enemy at Greencastle, and a large number captured, with their teams. It is strange to me that a single wagon should reach our army. They have been going sometimes without an escort, and when guarded the number of soldiers is too small for defence, and too large for a procession. The pontoon bridge at Falling Water, over which our trains passed, was attacked and broken up by some forty Yankee cavalry, and there was not even a guard at the place, as I learn. Attention to such small matters may be irksome, but their neglect leads to consequences disastrous in the extreme. Some of the wounded just in say that McClellan is in command of the enemy.

J.

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